Arts watch. R&B review.

Faith Evans' Young Voice Can Stand Up To The Divas

Why, oh why, didn't the executives at VH-1 give Faith Evans a call when they were putting together "Divas," the recent show that featured some of the most accomp-lished vocalists of our time?

On her new album, "Keep the Faith," the powerhouse R&B soloist proves that she can hold her own among legends like Tina Turner and Whitney Houston as well as young'uns Brandy and Mary J. Blige.

With raw passion dripping from every verse, Evans is a woman who has come into her own since her self-titled debut album in 1995. She's a long way from that young lady who appeared to be timid and uncomfortable during her first Chicago performance at a music-industry showcase.

At the Chicago Theater on Friday, on a bill that included Dru Hill and Total, the shyness was swept aside, and Faith Evans took control of the stage. Shimmering in diamonds, stilettos and a cobalt blue ostrich coat, she was the vision of polish and perfection.

Those expecting Mrs. Notorious B.I.G., who was in mourning following the brutal slaying of her husband two years ago, got instead a strong woman who had overcome tragedy. The full force of maturity and sensuality in her voice was felt as she sang a string of lush lullabies, from the up-tempo, gospel-inflected "Love Like This" to the deeply emotional "My First Love."

Her intense, smoldering presence is a rarity in today's young R&B artists; this trait is usually found in seasoned performers like Chaka Khan or Gladys Knight.

And like those artists, Evans, who was trained in jazz and classical music, isn't scared to experiment with her vocal range. With a four-piece band and three backup singers putting funk, blues and even Latin spins on her songs, at times her voice evoked images of Ma Rainey, Ella Fitzgerald and Chaka Khan.

Evans' set was almost flawless, from the simple, understated stage that included an oversize photo of the star to the well-choreographed moves of her dancers.

What took off points were those error-prone, prerecorded tracks that accompanied the band. The tracks skipped and interrupted the show's flow three times.

Dru Hill's set, however, was by no means understated. It was ostentatious, complete with towering pillars and stairs, smoke machines, light shows and a kung-fu-themed backdrop that was taken from the group's latest album, "Enter the Dru."

After the smoke settled and they finally began to sing, it became apparent why the Baltimore natives open their shows with such dramatic antics. They have great voices, which harmonize well together, but without the hype, they probably wouldn't stand a chance against other all-male R&B groups like Boyz II Men or K-Ci & Jo-Jo.

Total, in what appeared to be a budget-challenged show, was a total mess. The lack of a live band, "To Wong Foo"-inspired outfits and shaky, tone-deaf voices make one wonder how the female trio has survived for three years.